Briefly

EUROPE

Inflation hits record 8.9% in eurozone

Inflation in the European countries using the euro shot up to another record in July, pushed by higher energy prices driven partly by the conflict in Ukraine. Annual inflation in the eurozone's 19 countries rose to 8.9 percent, an increase from 8.6 percent in June, according to a report on Friday by the European Union's statistics agency. Inflation has been running at its highest level since 1997. To combat soaring inflation, the European Central Bank raised interest rates last week for the first time in 11 years by a larger-than-expected half-point. It's expected to be followed by another increase in September.

UNITED STATES

New contender aims to break two-party grip

Dozens of former Republican and Democratic officials announced on Wednesday the formation of a national political third party to appeal to millions of voters they say are dismayed with what they see as the country's dysfunctional two-party system. The new party, called Forward and whose creation was first reported by Reuters, will initially be co-chaired by former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang and Christine Todd Whitman, the former Republican governor of New Jersey. They hope the party will become a viable alternative to the Republican and Democratic parties that dominate US politics.

Agencies via Xinhua